Editorial: A dose of prevention

By Halifax ENC

Published: Thursday, September 5, 2013 at 06:54 PM.

We are fortunate to live in an age when deadly diseases of the past can remain exactly there — in the past.

Please consider doing all you can to prevent an outbreak of whooping cough in Craven County by consulting with your doctor and following his or her advice about the whooping cough vaccine for yourself and for your family.

Every parent knows the symptoms of childhood illness. They come — and they go.

But when a child has a hacking, dry cough accompanied by fever, vomiting and fatigue, it could be serious, even deadly.

It could be whooping cough.

The time for action is now, before any symptoms occur. You can help prevent this dangerous disease for your children and yourself.

Fortunately, there is a vaccine for whooping cough. It’s available from your doctor or at the health department — and it is a good idea to make sure you and children in your care are vaccinated.

Local and state health officials announced last week they are concerned about a whooping cough outbreak.

Already this year, as of Aug. 14 one person in Gaston County has been infected.

Across North Carolina, 326 cases have been reported so far in 2013.

If you’re like most folks, you received your whooping cough vaccine early in life. It’s required for students entering kindergarten and sixth grade.

The disease strikes children most often, spread from one to another in the familiar ways kids always seem to pass germs back and forth.

Adults can catch whooping cough, too. Public health officials say it’s a good idea to have a booster every decade to guard against contracting the disease.

Not all illnesses can be prevented, but doing all you can to stay healthy is simply being responsible.

Regular exercising, eating right and controlling your weight – those are the lifestyle factors that can help you enjoy good health. When there is a preventative vaccine available, it just makes sense to take advantage of that additional insurance policy on staying healthy.

We are fortunate to live in an age when deadly diseases of the past can remain exactly there — in the past.

Please consider doing all you can to prevent an outbreak of whooping cough in Craven County by consulting with your doctor and following his or her advice about the whooping cough vaccine for yourself and for your family.